Dean Flood has been known as a 100% cricketer and footballer in Pembrokeshire but in addition, he has spent a huge amount of time in his role as a teacher and now head teacher in organising competitions for junior school pupils across our county.
 
Dean started out at Sageston School and in 1997/98 became heavily involved in the Pembrokeshire Schools' Football Association alongside Angie Nicholls, Shay Buckley, Jonathan Twigg and then Gerry Rigby - and pretty soon, there were 55 schools playing in a county competition at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium, with Joe Allen playing for Narberth Primary School in one of them.
 

Involved with Tom Yeoman Competition

 
At the same time, he was also instrumental in establishing area trials so that the county could send a team to the Tom Yeoman Shield competition, which is held nationwide before the finals at Aberystwyth.
 
“I didn't miss an area match for over five years and it was where I first saw Joe Allen, who stood out despite being considerably younger than all his team mates, who included quality players like Justin 'Skinny' Harding, Bobby Briers, Robert Whitfield and Craig Robertson as they reached the semi-final but lost 4-3 to a Wolverhampton Juniors' team which had somehow been allowed into the competition!"
  

Senior football started with a bang

 
In his first season of senior football Dean signed for Merlins Bridge and was soon celebrating a hat-trick in his first start for a second string that included great characters like Tally John, Derek Roberts and Nigel Smith.
 
The Wizards 2nds gained promotion in that 1985/6 season and the first team won the Senior Cup from their place in Division Two.
 

Sport in college – and on the rigs!

 
Then Dean went to university in Portsmouth and played at full back in inter-departmental matches that were of a high standard as he achieved his degree in Geology before going to work on the offshore rigs in the far north of Scotland.
 
He had been county doubles' table tennis champion with Marc Petrie and regularly played on the rigs to keep fit. When he came home on leave he joined old school pal Steve 'Pelly' Price, and good players like Steve Batty, Chris Richards and Mark Lowe at Crundale AFC.
 

Exciting start at ‘The Villa’

 
Dean eventually decided to take his teaching qualification after leaving the rigs and joined close friends 'Pelly’ and Marc Petrie with Prendergast Villa.
 
"It was an exciting time after Villa was formed," said Dean, "with Gordon Thomas as secretary, plus Alun Wills, Eddie Pugh, John James and Trevor Buttle also involved.
 
"We had a fearsome reputation and a large following of fans who travelled to away games by the busload to support players like Dean Lewis, John Bicknell, Andrew Sargeant, Dai Smith and Steven Williams.  We had some good youngsters coming through as well like Steffan Atyeo and Steven Britton.
 
We won promotion and later reached the final of the section cup at Monkton Lane.
 "I played in central midfield alongside Tony Jenkins and scored with an early header as we were drawing at 2-2 in the final moments – and Michael 'Glenys' Davies had our supporters delighted when he netted the winner with a spectacular diving header!"
 

Undertook a range of jobs

 
During his long association with the Villa, Dean was club secretary, treasurer and has been captain of the first team, winning the 'Players' Player' and 'Supporters' Player of the Year' as reward for his 100% commitment before dropping back to help the seconds win the Fifth Division Title again under club stalwart Adrian ‘Wiggles’ Blundell.
 
"I managed the second string for five years and now assist Damien Ellis with the firsts. I still make the subs bench if they are short but at 47 I think it is time to bow out gracefully!"
 

Cricket at Burton – and then Haverfordwest

 
As well as his football, Dean has been heavily involved in cricket after starting out for Burton Youth in a team run by Brian Griffiths.
 
"I started off opening the batting with 'Pelly' but gradually slipped down the order until I was described as a 'fantastic No 11' - and been there almost all of the intervening two decades.
 
"I stopped playing whilst working offshore but came back to play for Haverfordwest and I've enjoyed playing there ever since alongside great clubman such as John Tooze and Matthew Vaughan”.
 

Memorable moments

 
 "I enjoyed being vice-captain to Matthew Vaughan in the third team when we won the fourth division and another real highlight came when I was in the second team which won the second division by gaining a winning draw versus Llangwm on the final day of the season.
 
"We had players of the calibre of Steve and Adam James, Micky Phillips and Nigel Delaney and I was delighted that my four wickets on the day included prize scalps Chris Inward and Jonathan Twigg (stumped by Mike Hooper).
 
"The following season I claimed 40 wickets and an Alec Colley Cup Final win”.
 
"I also played in two winning Ken Morris Cup Finals and was the first winner of the Tony Myles Memorial Trophy for the best bowling performance with a 6 for 7 haul that included a first-ball four wides at Stackpole, who were shot out for 21.
 
My best batting undoubtedly came as we beat Carew by one wicket after being 38 for 8, where I managed 43 not out with support from Micky Philips and Todd Watson, who scored two runs from 51 balls as we crept towards a winning total.
 

Other sport – and family support

 
Outside of his ball sports, Dean also enjoys martial arts at Mary Immaculate School, where he is head teacher and encourages participation from his pupils in the 'Lau Gar' discipline at classes led by Sifu Jason Crabtree, as well as an adult class as part of a community involvement.
 
Throughout all his sporting participation, Dean would readily admit that he has had terrific support from his wife Sophie, who played sport aplenty in her youth and is a member of the renowned Powling family in Tenby. He was also lucky that his parents Josie and Tom also gave him total support and encouraged him to play all sports.
 

And finally . . .

 
"I have been lucky to have so much enjoyment, not only in taking part myself and making loads of friends but in helping many boys and girls on the road to active participation - and my wish would be that they can be involved for as long as I have."
 
There is no doubt that Dean Flood is a credit to sport and in his role as a head teacher - and we hope that he will continue for many years to enjoy playing his sports, as well as providing inspiration for his young charges!